Game World Information

[DM-Delfon]

I will be updating this thread with information about the game world as it becomes available.

[DM-Delfon]

Locations:

Clifton:
A prosperous walled port community that is equally well known for its high fashion, and the terrible smell of it's massive fishing industry. The community is split into two parts by a river, Clifton is ruled by Duchess Eliezra Marmooth. Her rule is strict, but fair, and her people respect her. Well, most of her people, two rival thieves guilds fight for control of the city. The shadow war between the three groups rarely effects the common people, and it's in the best interest of all three groups to keep it that way.

The lands surrounding Clifton are resource rich, but very dangerous. For about a days travel in any land bound direction from Clifton the terrain is swampy forest. This marshland is unsuitable for building, and inhabited by dozens of tribes of Lizardfolk. Near the edge of the Marshland there is a vast sinkhole of unknown depth. Light sources thrown into the hole vanish out of sight before hitting bottom. Clifton has sent explorers, and engineers to explore the cavern. They returned with reports of vast mineral and gemstone resources. Mining commenced, and spiraling staircases have been dug into the sides of the uppermost region of the sinkhole. From the stair dozens of tunnels burrow into the earth like spokes on a wheel. Mining here is incredibly dangerous, often underground water sources are tapped into flooding the tunnels, and dumping the miners into the sinkhole. Several times mining has had to be halted because of attacks by Lizardfolk, or because the miners have accidently opened tunnels into some other creature's lair. Each time adventurers have been brought in to deal with the threat, and then mining resumes. Miners are paid 1gp/day, 10x what they would normally make, and so there are always people eager to try their luck.

Beyond the Marshlands is a vast forest that spans for days. None have explored very far into the forest, as those that do are never heard from again. Several ruins of some previous civilization have been discovered within the trees, but little is known about them. Most of the people that have explored the ruins have not returned. Those that have returned speak of horrors that chill the bones, rending flesh, and dead eyes.

Somerset Isles:
A collection of islands located a week journey by ship from Clifton. Each island is ruled over by a Duke, and each Duke owes allegiance to the King of Somerset. The King of Somerset recently was overthrown in a military coup. The militants that took over actually liked the King, and didn't take over to replace him. They took over to prevent his son from taking the throne, which by the laws of the land should have taken place on his son's twentieth birthday. Although it seems young to take over, the idea is that the majority of the new King's rule is watched over by the previous King. It is not unusual for a new King to have his father and grand father as advisers. The King is currently being held as a 'guest' of the interim government at the King's own palace. The interim government is actively trying to find the Prince of Somerset who escaped during the takeover. They intend to hold the King until the Prince can be found, forcing him to give up his rule.

[DM-Delfon]

More information on Clifton:

What purpose does it serve?
Clifton serves as a defensive position against the wilds that surround it. It is also a major trade port along the eastern coast of the main land. It is remarkably isolated compared to most cities on the main continent, and is usually only reached by ship. It's closest neighbor is the Somerset Isles. The Mages Guild maintains a close relationship with the main Guildhall back at the Imperial Capital.

How big is it?
Clifton is a walled port town, and has a population of around 6000 people.

Who lives there?
Duchess Eliezra Marmooth rules the town.
Lord Mayor Tridel Tallybar keeps the books, and handles administration.
Town Council:
Chairman Barar Garza
Councilwoman Triwyn Adelicia
Councilman Nelson Hewick
Councilman Melman Paulato
Councilwoman Soynadel Thasja
Councilwoman Heslee Thaston
Councilwoman Napa Wilkey
Councilman Elfric Wulfgar

What does it look like? Smell like? Sound like?
Clifton is surrounded by a twenty foot high stone wall, and it's palace is surrounded by a fifty foot high stone wall. The majority of the buildings within the city itself are whitewashed wooden structures, with dark wooden accents like shutters and framing. Nearly all the roofs in Clifton are covered in clay tiles.

Depending on the direction of the wind, most of the city smells of the sea. If the winds flow from north to south, the fisheries, tanneries and smelters make the city smell of a foul fishy odor.

The north side of the river is noisy with industry. The docks are noisy with workers and sailors loading and unloading ships. The market is noisy with merchants selling their wares. Most of the rest of the city is rather quiet, but there are a lot of people moving around within the walls of Clifton.

What are it's defenses?
The Duchess commands all branches of the military:
Sword Matrons, the duchess' all female elite personal guard. These women wield a variety of weapons, and are all able to fight without weapons if the need arises.

Titans, the guards within the palace grounds. The majority of which wield shields, and wear heavy plate and mail. Some also wield massive two handed weapons and pole arms.

Guardsman, often referred to as “Pins” by the common folk because the clubs carried by the guardsman resemble the belaying pins on a ship. The guards wear chain mail, and carry long swords, and light crossbows in addition to their clubs.

The palace is located high up on the cliffs to the south-east side of the city. The palace, and it's grounds are encircled by a 50ft tall wall. The city is also encircled by a wall, but this wall is only 20ft tall. Far below the Palace sits the Harbour District. Dozens of ships come and go every day, bringing trade and passengers. This bay can be sealed off mechanically by raising large ironwork palisades. The High District rests on the cliffs opposite the Palace district, the two districts book ending the Harbour District.

Where do characters go to find goods and services they need?
Food and Lodging can be found at any one of a dozen taverns/inns. The market can provide standard adventuring gear, weapons and armour. A small mages guild can provide first level scrolls, and arcane spell casting services up to level 3 spells. Healing potions and divine spell casting services up to level 3 can be purchased at the Light Shrine.

What temples and other organizations feature prominently?
The only major temple is the Light Shrine, dedicated to the Sun God Pelor, although several smaller temples, and dozens of shrines exist as well. The temple works with the Mages guild to regulate the use of magic within Clifton. The Clifton Navy controls who has access to the port. The merchants guild regulates commerce. Lastly, two rival Thieves Guilds (The Night Blades, and The Shadow Hands) struggle to control the city from the shadows. Between the two thieves guilds, they have a finger in almost every other organization.

What fantastic elements distinguish it from an ordinary town?
Clifton is a walled fishing port, with very little in the way of the fantastic.

Why should the characters care about the settlement?
It is the farthest community from civilization, if it falls there is no safe area for weeks of overland travel. By sea the Somerset Isles are nearest, but they are a rival Kingdom. Peaceful rivals, but rivals none the less.

[DM-Delfon]

Empirical Coinage:
Platinum Providence, One side of the coin carries the blazing sun of Pelor, and the other side carries the face of whichever Emperor was ruling at the time of it's minting.

Gold Phoenix, One side of the coin carries the image of a phoenix with wings spread rising from fire, and the other side carries the face of whichever King was ruling the Kingdom, in the country it was minted, at the time of it's minting.

Silver Protector, One side of the coin carries the image of an armoured knight with sword held high, and the other side carries the face of whichever Duke was ruling the city it was minted in, at the time of it's minting.

Copper Penny, Both sides of the coin carry the image of the coat of arms of the Imperial family.

Exchange Rate	Gold	Silver	Copper
1 Platinum	10	100	1000
1 Gold	-	10	100
1 Silver	-	-	10

Somerset Coinage:
The people of Somerset do not make use of platinum pieces.

Gold Galleon, One side of the coin carries the image of a large, three masted sailing ship with square sails, and the other side carries the image of a island castle on a hill. This coin is heavier than imperial coinage and is worth about twice as much.

Silver Schooner, One side of the coin carries the image of a large, two masted sailing ship with square sails, and the other side carries the image of a island castle on a hill.

Copper Cog, One side of the coin carries the image of a sailing ship with a single mast with square sails, and the other side carries the image of a island castle on a hill. This coin is lighter than imperial coinage and is worth about half as much.

Exchange Rate	Silver	Copper
1 Gold	20	400
1 Silver	-	20

[DM-Delfon]

Item Creation:

Rarity	Cost	Time (Days)	Power	Caster Level
Common	100gp	4	-	3rd
Uncommon	500gp	20	+1	3rd
Rare	5000gp	200	+2	6th
Vary Rare	50,000gp	2000	+3	11th
Legendary	500,000gp	20,000	+4	17th

Scroll Level	0	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9
Rarity	Common	Common	Uncommon	Uncommon	Rare	Rare	Rare	Very Rare	Very Rare	Legendary
Cost	50	100	200	400	800	1600	3200	6400	12,800	25,600

25gp progress can be made per crafter per day. All items aside from potions, and scrolls require a formula.

All magic item creation requires DM approval.

Tools Required:
Crafting scrolls can be crafted basically anywhere, as long as the crafter is not disturbed, and has a clean, flat, dry surface to work on. Crafting any other item requires an lab worth 500gp, and appropriate tools.

Researching Formula:
Researching items takes as long as it would to create the item, or half that time if you want to figure out how to reverse engineer an existing item. Researching costs half the listed amount to create the item itself. Costs are incurred because of experimentation, and failed attempts.

[DM-Delfon]

Ship Related Rules
Cannons and Guns:
(*Note* Cannons and Guns have not yet been invented in Clifton. A fact that will soon be changing, so I thought I would show the required rules ahead of time. The pursuit and avoidance rules are useful though.)

Ballista, +6 to hit, 120/480, 3d10
Ac15, 50hp, immune poison, psychic
1 action load, aim, or fire

Cannon, +6 to hit, 600/2400, 8d10
Ac19, 75hp, immune poison, psychic
1 action load, aim, or fire

Pistol, 30/90, 1d10, 3lb, 250gp, Ammunition, Loading

Musket, 40/120, 1d12, 10lb, 500gp, Ammunition, Loading, two-handed

Ammunition:
Ballista Bolts x1, 3gp, 20lb
Bullets x10, 3gp, 2lb
Cannon Ball x1, 5gp, 8lb

[DM-Delfon]

Weapon Changes:
Blow Gun - poison darts as a bonus action. Remove loading property.

Trident - Works with pole arm mastery feat. Advantage on disarm attempts.

Whips - Can grapple within it’s reach. Moving the grapple in this way only moves either you or the target, not both.

Net - Melee or Ranged. Advantage on disarm checks. Escape DC is 10+ Proficiency Modifier.